Responses (2)

IN

Inactive8 Jul 2011

Hi bd indy3,

I doubt I will remember you name, sense I grew up in Indianapolis (I lifeatime ago). I can't give much advise on panic attaches/disorder. I have grown up with the probem. I found Xanex and the will problem (liquid courage) neighter a probem now. Years ago I tried a huge amoujt of homeopathic methods along with her in advice, But it did not see or feel any differenc. Though it may work on you, it did on my oldest sistert. The onky stressful moment was when I saw the bill. OUCH!I hope it all works out for you.

No, I haven't had success with OTC meds that claim to be anti-anxiety meds. These include Valerian, Kava Kava, Passionflower, etc. Sorry, but benzodiazepines are sometimes the only thing that helps panic attacks. It's good that you worry about addiction, but as long as you're taking it as prescribed, you should be okay.

I see it as analogous to a diabetic taking insulin - you need it because of health reasons. Don't belittle your problem with Panic Attacks... it's a real disorder and sometimes benzos are the only thing that work.

I've tried everything under the sun, including almost all of the SSRI/SSNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptylene, Nortriptylene, Doxepin, etc. None work.

I take Xanax for panic attacks, and Klonopin at night for insomnia and also for anxiety in general due to its long half-life. I haven't needed to increase my dosage of these meds in 3 years, and I've not had a problem with addiction. I've gone 3 days without taking any benzos and been just fine (ie no seizures or horrid anxiety).

Only 30% of patients who take benzos actually develop a depedence on the drugs. There are a lot of sites that are anti-benzo and put horror stories about them there. But in reality, these horrid withdrawal effects are very rare, and occur mostly with people who abuse the drugs and take very high doses.